WWII GERMAN CUSTOMS LONG SERVICE MEDAL -
This is a German customs office medal. As issued during WWII. The Customs function was considered to be a part of the
police force. This is why the awards for one are very similar to the other. The Customs Service started in 1834 when
the different German states wanted to improve their trading commerce. The idea was that trade between the German states
should be free while trade among all the other European nations should still face import and export tariffs.
Once the different German states became one in 1871 the Customs service was converted into a national agency. It had
a paramilitary nature. The group was placed under the control of the finance Ministry (Reichsfinanzministerium).
In 1936 the Customs service was split into the Land Customs (Landzollbeamte) and the Water Customs (Wasserzollbeamte).
The Land Customs subdivided into the Land Customs Border Guards (Zollgrenzschutz) who took on the responsibility of
guarding the border.
The design of the customs long service award consists of a dark blue ribbon with the police eagle and wreath embroidered in
yellow thread. The ribbon attaches to a Maltese cross. The front displays a standing eagle with the wings fully spread and
clutching a wreath with a swastika. The body of the cross is heavily pebbled and has a bronze color appearance.
This page is a recognition and identification guide for WWII German badges and awards. Multiple
detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out clearly defined points
that should be noted.
One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my WWII German badge worth?". A price
guide is included here to address this question. The value of the badges and awards is reviewed
over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth of the German
badges in the collector's market is illustrated.
This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of
MilitaryItems.com,
a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality military
antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public.
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The German police was fractured and divided into many organizations due to the fact that Germany was originally a group of
different states.
In 1936 Hitler appointed Heinrich Himmler to Chief of Police and Interior Ministry (Chef der Deutschen Polizei im
Reichsministerium des innem). This was a new position whose goal was to unify all the different police departments into
a more centralized organization. Some of the new police forces he created included the SS Special Forces troops,
fire protection police, land customs service, water customs service and the regular police. This list does not represent
a complete compilation of all the police forces.
One of the first orders of buisness taken was to redesign the uniforms and organize the rank system.
Because of the extensive nature of the various organizations which composed the police force there was an dizzying array
of items that were produced for the force. Patches, metal insignia, cloth insignia, medals, badges, shoulder boards are
just a small example of the items that they used. These items have now become collectibles and are sought after with
different degrees of desire. Some of the items are rare and valuable while others are not so.
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The back of the corss shares the same deep pebbling as the front. A wreath is placed over the cross and has an open top. The
words "Fur Treue Dienste im Zollgrenz-schutz" are written in releaf in the center.
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WE BUY German German police badges, medal and related items - All types of WWII German civilian awards. Whether it is for
fire department, police. civil defense or any other civilian organization.
The process gets started by you sending us an
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We will respond to your inquiry normally within 24 hours and in many cases much faster.
We can tell you what you have, what it is worth and how much we can pay you.
One item or an entire collection -
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This award is currently being
reproduced.
It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality
of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style
and materials employed in the manufacturing of this badge. Attention to the details is critical in
order to be able to determine the authenticity of the badge.
If you have an interest is seeing other badges and awards of the Third Reich, you can do so by going
to our
WWII German Badges and Awards
identification guide. Where we cover Heer (Army), Navy (Kriegsmarine) and
Air Force (Luftwaffe) items.
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